There were numerous objections to the license application for South Newsham pavilion.

 There will therefore be a hearing at Blyth Civic Centre, on 30th July. Members of the public are entitled to attend, but unless they have already objected, or supported,  they may not speak.

I will attend as ward councillor. There are  arguments in favour and against the application. It may make for a lively meeting. 

I noticed this on the website of Councillor Stuart Bray (a Lib Dem councillor in Leicestershire). I quote :-

 Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

But Labour MPs voted against the call and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all.

He went on to say , “Communities can sometimes be powerless to stop inappropriately sited phone masts going ahead because the planning system has fewer restrictions on them than for many other planning applications.

“This gives phone companies an advantage which is not enjoyed by other individuals and businesses applying for planning permission. Our amendment would have made the system fairer.

“I was very disappointed however to see that the Conservatives did not bother to vote for this change. They simply sat on their hands, despite telling everyone at the general election that they support this policy.

“As a result, [we] will continue to find it hard to battle against inappropriate phone masts.”

Well said Stuart, it reflects my views nicely

Northumberland County Councillor Lesley Rickerby will be holding a surgery at South Beach library on Wednesday 9th July between 6pm and 7 pm.

There will be district councillors be in attendance.

If you cannot get to this surgery we can be contacted through the usual channels

If you live in the area, you can’t have failed to notice the building work at South Beach shops.

The owners have received planning permission to extend upwards to include flats and to knock the shops into one.

Unfortunately they did not receive permission to completely knock the shops down and rebuild. BVBC planning officers are aware of what happened, and are investigating. I’ll keep you informed of developments…. (excuse the pun!)

My July council diary is again fairly quiet.

July 1st       Regulatory Panel ( of which more later)

July 3rd       Full council

July 16th    Sustainable Communities Review Commission

July 22nd     Development Control Panel

Before the full council meeting on 3rd July there will be a Public Question Time, to which all residents are invited. Questions can be put to the Mayor and the portfolio holders. If a full reply cannot be given , a written reply will be given. 

At a meeting last night residents showed their growing frustration at the way that the Academy building is going ahead.

Despite concerns by local residents the previous Labour administration went ahead with the plans for an Academy primary school on the site of South Beach First School. The new Liberal Democrat administration now has to try and untangle the development and / or move the site elsewhere. But of course the Emmanuel Schools Foundation has a long lease on the site (the figure of 125 years has been mentionned!)

At the meeting the local MP (Ronnie Campbell, Labour) spoke against the Academy and agreed to offer what help he can. It was pointed out that this was a Labour plan and that it was already against the views of local people. Now I’m always ready to give credit where it’s due, Ronnie’s late entry into our particular fight is to be welcomed, and I’ll put my cynicism aside for now.

The argument has always been on several levels, some of which affect us all :-

•  The very principle of two tier education
• The very principle of Academy schools
• The traffic problems that the construction will generate
• The traffic problems that the school is already generating

Well, now that we have the attention of our MP will he be able to help? Watch this space.

As an aside, someone said to me in all seriousness, “Ronnie is the best opposition MP we have. ”. Well his lot have been in government 10 years, and when it comes to the vote in the Commons he is still a Labour MP.

There are no planning applications from South Newsham or South Beach wards on next week’s DCP agenda.

There is one application that concerns us all; I’ll post more after the meeting as I don’t want to prejudice my chance to comment at the meeting.

Just a brief update on some local matters..

• It appears that compensation has been paid to the brewery for access over their “ransom strip” of land, and therefore the temporary road around the pub will go ahead. Good news of sorts to residents of Shearwater Way.
• The previous administration granted a lease of 125 years to Emmannuel Schools Foundation , so it doesn’t look as though they will be moving their “Junior Academy” to a more appropriate site.
• The traffic lights promised for Fulmar Drive / South Newsham Road may be installed in the late summer / early autumn. I’ll believe it when I see it, council officers will promise the earth if they think it will keep residents quiet

If and when I get more details about these I will let you know.

There will be a meeting at the South Beach Residents Association on Monday 9th June, to discuss the Traffic chaos that is Shearwater Way.

I don’t know who called the meeting, but I imagine residents of Shearwater Way who are most affected by the contractors traffic to the school.  If I had been informed of the meeting earlier I could have helped publicise it.

I should be there, and will be trying to contact other district and county councillors to make them aware of the meeting. However we are there to listen to the views expressed, not to defend the County Council or the Academy.

The council has recieved an application for a premises licence for South Newsham pavilion. The football club (Blyth Town FC) envisage opening hours on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays and Sundays.

Any representations should be made to Blyth Valley Borough Council before 27th June.